After belly fat, cellulite is one of the most embarrassing flaws on the human body. Before you reach for cellulite cream or book an appointment with your dermatologist for liposuction or laser surgery, you owe it to yourself to learn the truth about cellulite. The more you know about what causes it, the easier it is to get rid of once and for all.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite is a collection of fat deposits just beneath the surface of the skin that can cause a dimpling “orange peel” look to the skin. Cellulite affects more women than men and tends to collect around the hips, thighs, and buttocks.
What Causes Cellulite?
Oftentimes, companies trying to sell you the latest miracle cream or surgery for cellulite will tell you that cellulite is genetic and inevitable. That’s only partially true. Though genetics and hormonal fluctuations certainly play a role, there are important dietary and lifestyle factors to consider as well.
For example, a diet high in processed fats, synthetic sugars, and refined flours contribute to the development of cellulite. Smokers also have an increased risk of developing cellulite. This is because both of these lifestyle factors encourage toxic build-up in the body. Smoking also interferes with proper blood and lymphatic circulation, which can lead to that unsightly dimpling of the skin.
Even clothing can play a role in cellulite development. Wearing underwear or boxers may cut off your circulation and cause cellulite to form.
Hidden Health Dangers of Cellulite Creams
Over-the-counter creams may seem like the perfect quick-fix answer to getting rid of cellulite but there are some hidden health dangers. Most cellulite creams use a combination of caffeine and synthetic collagen to tighten skin and improve blood circulation. If these were the only ingredients, it might not be so bad to get started with. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Like most store-bought cosmetic products, cellulite creams contain some harmful ingredients manufacturers will never tell you about.
These ingredients include:
- Carrageenan
Carrageenan has received a lot of attention lately as a controversial food ingredient. Recent evidence has suggested that this additive causes inflammation and increases your risk for developing cancer. It is often found in cosmetics as well, including cellulite cream. Remember, anything you put on your skin absorbs into your organs immediately. It is best to avoid this additive at all costs.
- Food Dyes
Just because you can’t eat cellulite cream doesn’t mean they don’t put food dyes in there. Food dyes such as Red #40 and Blue 1 Lake have been shown to cause hidden health problems. These health problems include immune system suppression, mental health disturbances, neurological problems, and tumor growth.
- Parabens
Parabens are powerful endocrine-disruptors that have been linked to the development of breast cancer in women. They are the most widely-used synthetic additives in cosmetic products. Not only have they been shown to contribute to the development of cancer, they’ve been linked to thyroid disorders and fertility issues as well.
- Phthalates
Phthalates are plasticizers that give your cellulite cream a smooth, silky feel. Unfortunately, phthalates have been linked to infertility, cancer, neurological dysfunction, and altered immune system function.
Why Cellulite Surgery Isn’t the Answer Either
If your cellulite is severe and very noticeable, you may have thought that surgical treatments such as liposuction or laser surgery were your best bet. Though these treatments may work in the short term, they can cause unwanted side effects.
Side effects of liposuction often include benign fatty tumors, infection, permanent site numbness, gynecomastia (male breast development), and scarring. Side effects of laser surgery include burning, peeling, itching, bruising and scarring of skin.
The worst problem with surgical cellulite treatments is they can do permanent damage to the skin without addressing the underlying causes of cellulite.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Cellulite
The best way to get rid of cellulite is to get rid of some of the dietary and lifestyle factors that contribute to cellulite development in the first place.
- Dietary Changes
The first step to getting rid of cellulite naturally is making some dietary changes. This means slowly tapering off junk food and trading it in for healthier fare. The more organic produce, beans, nuts, seeds, legumes, meat, poultry, and fish you eat, the less cellulite you’ll see. These foods help detoxify your body while giving you a powerful nutrient boost.
Specific cellulite-fighting foods include green tea, broccoli, asparagus, berries, oily fish, cayenne pepper, turmeric, garlic, and tomatoes. These foods improve your circulation, fight free radicals, and boost your collagen production. Everything you need to fight cellulite from the inside out!
- Lifestyle Changes
Quitting smoking will not only help cut down on cellulite, it will also help you live longer and decrease your risk of developing cancer. A sedentary lifestyle isn’t good for your physical appearance or your health. Regular cardiovascular and strength-training exercises help improve your circulation, which cuts down on the development of cellulite.
- Water
Millions of people are chronically dehydrated because instead of water, they drink tons of soda. If you’re one of them, your cellulite could be caused in part due to dehydration. Drink 6-8 glasses of pure, filtered water each day to stay hydrated and keep cellulite at bay. Add an organic lime or lemon wedge to add an antioxidant boost while ramping up the flavor.
- Dry Skin Brushing
The dry skin brush is a cellulite sufferer’s best friend. Regular dry skin brushing encourages healthy blood circulation while releasing the flow of blocked lymph. Lymph is a fluid that carries toxins out of the body. The better your circulation, the less cellulite you’ll see. You can pick up a dry skin brush online or at most health food stores. To use it, start at the bottom and work your way up, brushing with firm strokes toward the heart.
- Coffee and Cellophane Wraps
Since dietary and lifestyle changes take a while to implement, you might want a quick-fix solution so you can wear that bikini next weekend. This is where coffee and cellophane wraps come in. This fun and creative way to decrease the appearance of cellulite is very inexpensive and easy to do.
To do it, take full caffeine coffee grounds and soak them in enough hot water to make a paste. Allow the mixture to cool a bit then add a bit of olive oil or coconut oil. Grab your cellophane and step into the shower. Cover the problem areas with the paste and wrap the cellophane around. Wait for 20 minutes. Rinse the mixture off with warm water and shower as usual.
The caffeine increases your circulation and will reduce the appearance of cellulite for up to one week.
Don’t fall for the cellulite cream and surgery scam. Natural cellulite removal methods not only make you look better, they address the direct causes of cellulite while improving your overall health.’
**Recommended Research**
Dimples on your Legs, Buns, Hips and Thighs?
Ugh… It’s Cellulite! One of the most embarrassing (not to mention frustrating) beauty problems women face.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a size 2 or 22 this issue affects everyone. In fact over 80 percent of women in America are affected by these unsightly blemishes!
You’d think a beauty problem this widespread would be treatable. High end salons and spas love to sell us services that supposedly correct the issue. They offer body wraps…toxin flushes…laser treatments…gels to dissolve it all away…vibrating massagers…but nothing works! The cellulite always returns.
The harsh reality is NONE of these money wasting methods get the job done. None of them give us permanent cellulite removal.
I was tired of the lies from the beauty industry and had just about given up when I watched a video called The Truth About Cellulite. It tells the hidden cause of lower body cellulite and gives you an inside scoop on all those supposed cellulite treatments.
Best of all it tells you how to get rid of cellulite forever! If you want to remove those unsightly bumps and dimples from your legs, buns, hips and thighs fast then you should watch thisvideo.
Enjoy!
Jessica Coffey
Publisher, Health Scams Exposed
Sources:
http://www.cornucopia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Carrageenan-Report1.pdf
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/12/paraben-chemical-linked-to-breast-cancer_n_1202144.html
